Monday, January 16, 2012

This week, RSPCA NSW is excited to announce the opening of their new Care Centre, located in Tuggerah’s Supa Centre. The adoption outreach facility’s aim is to rehome animals in a welfare-friendly environment and educate the community about responsible pet ownership.

RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman said the Care Centre in Tuggerah would not have been possible without the help of Cessnock City Council.

“Cessnock City Council has a strong commitment to animal welfare so they agreed to fund the development of the Care Centre at Tuggerah in exchange for the RSPCA taking over their pound operations,” said Mr Coleman. “This is a radical departure from the traditional approach, but one that has been applauded by many.”

The first RSPCA Care Centre was opened just over two years ago in Rouse Hill. Since opening, the Care Centre in Rouse Hill has successfully rehomed over one thousand animals.

“The new Care Centre facility in Tuggerah is a credit to the skills of the team who were tasked with its development and the staff and volunteers who will work there every day,” said Mr Coleman.

RSPCA NSW invites the community to the official Open Day. People can interact with the animal available for adoption, meet the team and ask Care Centre staff for pet-related advice.

Friday, January 13, 2012

A local Tregear woman twice failed to appear at Mount Druitt Local Court in relation to four animal cruelty charges. These included two counts of failure to provide veterinary treatment and two counts of failure to exercise reasonable care to prevent an act of cruelty to an animal. The charges related to the womans female Maltese Terrier dog and a male Shih Tzu crossbreed dog in her care.

An RSPCA Inspector responded to concerns about the welfare of several dogs on 8 October 2011. Both dogs were seized for veterinary attention which found them unrecognisable due to severely matted coats. The Maltese Terrier required treatment for an infection of the right eye, and the Shih Tzu for a severe bacterial ear infection.

This matter was heard ex parte when the woman failed to appear at Court on 15 December 2011. The accused was convicted and fined $750 for each veterinary charge and $500 for each of the charges relating to the matted coats. The Magistrate adjourned the matter until 12 January 2012 to allow the woman the opportunity to attend Court in relation to custody of her Maltese Terrier dog. When she again failed to appear the Magistrate granted custody of the dog to the RSPCA and prohibited the woman from owning any animal for five years. The woman was ordered to pay $81 Court costs, $137.28 transcription costs and $3,634.54 veterinary/boarding costs (total fines $2,500; total costs $3,852.82).

Friday, January 6, 2012

Stella needs a very special home with a family who has experience with training dogs, as Stella is deaf and will need training using hand signals. She gets along very well with her kennel mate, Sophie, and would probably be best having another companion dog- they will be her 'ears' for her! Stella will need to meet any prospective housemates prior to adoption, so if you do already have another dog and you are thinking of adopting Stella, please bring your dog along to the shelter to meet her, so we can see how they interact.

Being deaf, Stellas yard will need to be very secure, as if she were to get out and run on the road, she would not hear a car coming. The yard must have colourbond fences and gates that are at least 5ft high, and in good condition with no gaps or footholes. Off lead walking will not be an option either, so a long walk every day, on the lead will be required. If you have children they too will need to be shown how to interact with Stella, by being included in Stellas training. IT would be best if Stellas family only had children over 6 years, so they are old enough to understand the training, and not to sneak up and grab Stella when she is sleeping, eating etc.

Besides being deaf, Stella is a typical playful, social, happy puppy. She is going through the teething stage, so it is very important to provide her with plenty of appropriate chew toys to help her through. She will also need sunscreen applied daily as she is prone to sunburn which may lead to skin cancer. A brush every couple of days, along with a bath every 6-8 weeks will help keep Stellas skin and coat clean and healthy.

Stella is available from the RSPCA Orange Shelter and comes health checked, micro chipped, desexed, vaccinated and up to date on her flea & worming treatments.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

The competition was not the easisest, but did that stop our intrepid explorers from finding Snowy from amongst the html and www's - No! We recieved quite a few entries, but their can only be ten so here they are...

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About us

The RSPCA - The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - is Australia's pre-eminent animal welfare organisation. We provide a strong voice for animals experiencing cruelty and neglect. The RSPCA is not a government agency and receives only a very small amount of funding from the Government. We rely on the generosity of the community and our own fundraising initiatives to fund our vital work.